When to plant carrots in Maine
Maine’s average last spring frost is May 14, and the first fall frost typically arrives around September 25 — about 134 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Maine's growing season.
When to plant carrots in Maine: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 18 – May 7. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Maine: May 11 · May 29 · Jun 16
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow carrots in Maine, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Apr 18 – May 7). Space plants about 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, sowing seed ¼ inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Maine.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: carrot rust fly, wireworm, root-knot nematode, aphids. Diseases and disorders: alternaria leaf blight, cavity spot, aster yellows.
- Harvest (from about Jun 22 – Jul 12). Carrot takes 60-80 days to reach harvest. Never transplant. Keep the surface constantly moist for the slow 2-3 week germination - a board or burlap over the row helps. Needs loose, stone-free soil or roots fork.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Maine’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Maine
Maine spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the carrot dates shift with them.
When to plant carrots in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Maine (this page) | May 14 | Apr 18 – May 7 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| Vermont | May 14 | Apr 18 – May 7 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Mar 29 – Apr 17 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Mar 30 – Apr 18 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Mar 30 – Apr 18 |
| New York | May 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
Questions gardeners in Maine ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Maine?
Sow carrots in Maine between April 18 and May 7. That timing is set by Maine's average last spring frost of May 14.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Maine?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between June 30 and July 17, so the crop matures in cool weather before Maine's first frost around September 25.
When will carrots planted in Maine be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about June 22 to July 12, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Maine?
On average around May 14, with the first fall frost around September 25 - about 134 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.